180 Gram Audiophile Vinyl Reissue

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Working Class Dog is the fifth studio album by Australian singer-songwriter Rick Springfield, originally released in February 1981 via RCA Records.

Forget that Rick Springfield was a soap star for a moment and listen to his music, because he made some of the finest guitar-driven mainstream pop/rock of the early '80s. Working Class Dog is his finest moment, filled with expertly crafted pop songs, highlighted by the massive hit "Jessie's Girl."

From the start Working Class Dog comes off like an album that was made for the radio. Imbuing crunchy, high energy guitar rock with ringing melodies and razor-sharp hooks, opening track “Love Is Alright Tonite” just sounds like the hit it was. It was preceded there by two top tens – the No. 1 smash “Jessie’s Girl” and the Sammy Hagar penned “I’ve Done Everything For You”.

Working Class Dog is best summed up as a masterclass in the three minute pop rock formula. It’s full of tracks that represent the era but have also managed to remain relevant. Springfield’s songwriting acumen, while surely the vital cog, is just one part. The man’s vocal chops deserve equal billing, and they especially shine on his impassioned interpretation of Hagar’s “I’ve Done Everything For You”.

The world may have first perceived of Rick Springfield as an actor who could sing, but Working Class Dog shows it was actually the other way around.

The album peaked at #7 on the US Billboard 200 Albums chart and #33 on the Australian Albums charts. Springfield was awarded the 1982 Grammy Award for Best Rock Vocal Performance, Male. for “Jessie’s Girl”.